Some of my earliest memories are of swimming.

I was a competitive pool swimmer growing up in Jacksonville, Florida. But I find open water swimming is liberating in so many ways. No walls, no lane lines — no boundaries. Some of my earliest open water swimming was in Florida.

I remember thinking that the water from central Florida’s springs was freezing. But after diving in,

I knew that it was worth the initial shock to experience the amazing beauty of springs. It’s the same with any lake, ocean or river. You can’t tell what the experience will be like standing on shore. Just like with life, you have to dive in and not stay an observer on the sidelines.

Why?

Lots of people have asked me why I do ultra-marathon swims. It’s a good question. Its hard to express why I do it. I like the peacefulness of swimming, I like the challenge and dynamic nature of open water swimming since no swim is ever the same. Plus, my mother is a fish as well, so it's in my blood. I can’t go past a body of water without wondering what it would be like to swim in it. Since I live in a place that has lots of places to swim — it means that

I keep swimming.